By Enyinna Omoke, Abakaliki
The Chief Judge of Ebonyi State, Justice Elvis Anegu Ngene has called on all members of the bench in Ebonyi state, both low and high, members of the Bar and all personnel of the judiciary to give more attention to improving and sustaining public confidence in the Courts by improving access to justice.
Justice Ngene made this known during the 2025 legal year in Abakaliki, saying that access to justice will restore public confidence in the judicial system.
He appreciated Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for his welfare packages, and for offering the judiciary the enabling environment to operate without interference in the state.
“While focusing on improving access to Justice, no stone will be left unturned in our collective resolve to improve access to justice in this jurisdiction.
“I will call on the members of the bench in Ebonyi state, both low and high, members of the Bar and all personnel of the judiciary to give more attention to improving and sustaining public confidence in the Courts.”
The state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ben Uruchi Odo in his remarks enumerated many reforms his Ministry has brought into the Justice system in the state to include giving effect to the provision of the administration of Criminal Justice Law of Ebonyi State which prohibits Police lay prosecutors from prosecuting criminal cases in Ebonyi State, among others.
Dr.Odoh noted that his Ministry has served as a veritable and indispensable link between the Executive and the legislature adding that out of the many Executive bills prepared, processed and forwarded to the State House of Assembly in the year under review, 12 have been passed into law.
He admonished the judiciary and men of the legal profession to continue to demonstrate a high standard of probity and keen sense of responsibility as a means of spearheading a national movement for the restoration of regard for positive and higher values of excellence, honesty, industry and confidence in the judicial system.
In their goodwill messages, the Chairmen of Abakaliki, Onueke and Afikpo branches of the Nigerian Bar Association, Samuel Ede, Joseph Nwanga and Eberechukwu Omezue-Nnali respectively, applauded the achievements of the Chief Judge and the state judiciary in the past legal year and pledged their commitments to continue to uphold the ideals of justice in the state.
